PEARL OF WISDOM

Ancient route can be a clever path for Charlie

- By Mark Winstanley

SCOTTISH trainer Ann Hamilton has done well in getting TOMMY'S OSCAR (1.10) down to a mark of 151 for the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase over two miles to kick off Ayr's big day.

The top weight captured last year's event when racing off a ledge of 152, so it looks like a long-time plot.

Charlie Appleby decided to keep ANCIENT WISDOM (1.25) at Newmarket in the winter rather than send him to Dubai, and word from Moulton Paddocks is the four-year-old has really strengthened up.

The winner of a Group Three affair at HQ in July, he has done plenty of work on the grass gallop at home to ensure he is fit enough to snare the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Stakes over a mile and a half at Newbury.

Alan King has a good record at Ayr so MASACCIO (1.43) will carry my hard-earned in the CPMS Novices' Champion Handicap Chase over three miles.